Specific Initiatives

We lead by examples, innovations and implementations in Mental Healthcare sector

Dava Dua

After the tragic incidence when 25 inmates got burnt resulting in their death at Errwadi Dargah in Tamil Nadu and a directive of the Honourable Supreme Court of India in recognizing the pertinence of the directive, the Government of Gujarat proactively initiated ‘Dava and Dua’ project through Hospital for Mental Health, Ahmedabad in the Hazrat Saiyed Ali Mira Datar Dargah, which is 550 years old and one of the biggest in the country and well known for its traditional healing rituals for getting relief of any nature including psychological disorders. ‘Dava and Dua’ is a unique concept of an excellent amalgamation of traditional faith healing and modern scientific mental health system for providing medical treatment to the mentally ill patients.

AADHAR Helpline

Aadhar (which means ‘support’ in the English language) is one of the special initiatives of the Hospital for Mental Health, Ahmedabad and is supported by Department of Health and Family Welfare, which is implemented in partnership with ALTRUIST – a NGO exclusively working for persons with mental illness. It is free helpline and support service for wandering persons with mental disorders and has been operational since January 2011.

Child Guidance Center

The Child Guidance Center at Hospital for Mental Health deals with children with mental disorders and intellectual impairment. Since 2009 it plays a pivotal role by catering to the psychiatric needs of children in the age group ranging between 6 years to 18 years. It is also known as the Sensory and Rehabilitation Centre where medical assessment, training and therapy is given. This center has a multidisciplinary highly educated, experienced and dedicated team consisting of Psychiatrists, Psychologist, Neurologists, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech & Language Specialist and Special Educator.

Linkages with Civil Society Organisations

The key impediments in the path of persons with mental health problems are lack of resources, lack of awareness and stigma from the community. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) being one of the key stakeholders can play vital role to address these issues and identify, treat and rehabilitate them back into the society. CSOs have been instrumental in advocating and implementing CBR approach across the globe. Thus Hospital for Mental Health, Ahmedabad seeks collaboration with NGOs, academic institutes and other institutions for a comprehensive response to the issue of mental health.

PARIVARTAN Café

Parivartan café is a social enterprise featuring high quality of products and services pertaining to food and beverages. It is established with aim of creating positive mental health awareness among the community. The objective of Parivatan Café – the novel initiative under Mental Health Program is to provide vocational rehabilitation with equal work opportunities in the community to those people who have recovered from mental illnesses. The Parivartan Café is completely managed by the persons recovered from mental illnesses.

SPIRIT

The Suicide Prevention and Implementation Research Initiative aims to reduce suicide rates by bridging the gap between scientific evidence and practice in suicide prevention and mental health interventions in India and Bangladesh. SPIRIT uses an integrated, evidence based, suicide prevention intervention, which will be implemented in Mehsana, Gujarat, from 2017-2022.

PSVs

Peer Support Volunteers are task force which are recovered from mental illnesses and now act as motivator, facilitator and guide for the other persons with mental illnesses. They are selected based on their skills and knowledge and commitment to support other PWMIs, to conduct recreational and rehabilitation activities, counselling etc.

SAATHI

Hospital for Mental Health, Ahmedabad facilitated registration of a Self Help Group for caregivers for the first time in Gujarat (as an NGO under public charitable trust), in mental health sector 23rd July 2005 and named it as ‘SAATHI’. At present there are six centers of SAATHI including HMH – Ahmedabad, HMH – Vadodara, GMERS Medical College – Gotri (Vadodara), HMH – Bhuj, Civil Hospital – Mahesana and Medical College – Surat (Civil Hospital).